Key issues and challenges in disease surveillance in dairy cattle

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview on the different aspects concerning disease surveillance programs. The chapter also describes a specific and conceptual framework related to disease surveillance of production diseases within the individual herd, including both animals and farmers. Regarding farmers, this chapter focus on the justification and purposes for doing disease surveillance as well as the possible decisions and actions they can take to enhance the efficiency of the disease surveillance programs. It also discusses some of the most novel biomarkers that can be potentially used to identify pre-clinical disease states, which will have the potential to minimize the negative effects of production diseases. Finally, the chapter looks into the future perspectives and possible challenges that future automated disease surveillance systems will need to face in order to keep an optimal animal health, performance and welfare within the individual herd.